The Banquet Network

What do I say to my pastor or my church leadership if I’m trying to get my church to be disability inclusive or involved in disability ministry? Listen in as Pastor Mike Crawford shares his thoughts.

Bio:

Having pastored for 10 years in California, Michael wrestled with the call of God on his life to plant a new church in a major U.S. city with a significantly African American population. In 2008, God made it clear his calling was in Baltimore. He is a co-founder of The Banquet Network and chief mobilizer for the church to reach the disability population.

Contact:

[email protected] | freedomchurchbaltimore.org

Dr. Thomas Hentrich from EcumenAbility points us to full inclusion and belonging in the Church and each person’s unique ability to contribute to the Kingdom across denominations and globally.

Bio:

I am an independent Theologian, who, for personal reasons, also has an interest in brain injuries and other disabilities. Following the publication of my book “’Abgestempelt’. People with Disabilities in Ancient Israel and the Ancient Near East” and having worked for a Canadian ecumenical organization, it became clear to me that there are deficits in the congregational life of people with disabilities. Unfortunately, because they are a rather marginal group, they will likely not get the exposure that other social issues are enjoying. EcumenAbility© is attempting to fill this void.

Contact:

[email protected] | thomashentrich.page4.com | FB @EcumenAbility

Dr. Bergina Isbell, MD shares her unique perspective as a psychiatric professional on how churches can help families cope with the impacts of disability or special needs.

Bio:

Bergina Isbell, MD is a Mayo Clinic trained and Board Certified Psychiatrist specializing in the clinical treatment of patients with history of trauma and special needs, including those on the autism spectrum.

Contact:

[email protected] | ledlifepublishing.wixsite.com/mysite

Jim Baker shares about how to move away from being insular and how Jesus' presence is uniquely seen in the margins of society, particularly those with disabilities.

Bio:

Jim leads the Marginal Mission Network as part of his responsibilities with the Europe Division Leadership Team of ReachGlobal, the international mission of the Evangelical Free Church of America. He and his wife Liz have served in cross-cultural mission since 1994, when they moved to Kyiv, Ukraine – to this day the place they truly feel they “belong.” They have served in student ministry, evangelism and discipleship, and church planting there. Their home base today is in central Virginia, from where they work to “mobilize the church to the margins and grow the church from the margins.” They have four adult children.

Contact:

[email protected] | millpondporch.com